DBA International Programme

Transcription

1 DBA International Programme Fulfilling Ambitions

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3 Fulfilling Ambitions Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University and Business School Netherlands are combining their strengths to offer the DBA International programme. Aimed at the international student, this programme combines the very practical orientation of Business School Netherlands and its history as a dedicated business school, with the research capabilities and resources of Sheffield Business School. Through this joint programme, the two institutions are able to offer the international student a unique combination of resources and experience. Business School Netherlands extensive experience with Action Learning in its MBA and its Dutch language DBA programme is combined with Sheffield Business School s strong academic orientation and research expertise. Both institutions have long offered programmes for active managers. This experience is now being offered to the international student through this joint programme.

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5 DBA International Programme You are an experienced, successful manager. You have an MBA or similar qualification. You feel that you need a deeper understanding of the issues you face and more systematic ways of investigating options and possibilities. You feel that only by stepping back and taking the time, and putting the issues you face into a broader context of theoretical knowledge, will you be able to develop the kinds of breakthrough solutions you are looking for. You are enthusiastic about personal, professional and organisational development and are motivated to contribute to management thinking and practice by researching and developing new ways of doing things. To achieve your goals, you are willing to spend a great deal of your time over the next four years in study and research. Centred on questions you choose, you want to develop your conceptual understanding in the context of important, practical business problems you and your organisation face. You also want the challenges and changes that working with a peer group of international professionals will bring. The DBA International is a blended learning programme especially tailored for executives who cannot put their careers on hold. The freedom and flexibility of this programme will allow you to balance the demands of your career and personal life while developing your skills and capabilities through a significant study of original research aimed at improving practical decisionmaking as well as increasing the understanding of organisational and business life. Doctor of Business Administration A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a management practitioner s degree and, while not a requirement, continued involvement in an organisation is important for keeping the theoretical and methodological contents of your DBA studies in a practical context. A DBA is focused on developing a scientific attitude, not just completing a research project. The rigorous application of research methods within a theoretical framework, is a skill which will serve you throughout your career. Structure The programme is structured in four phases. In the first phase, you will be challenged to develop your own identity and vision as a researcher. What motivates you? What kind of problems fascinate you? The focus is on developing your professional identity and drive as a researcher and in defining and refining the problem areas which fascinate and motivate you. The second phase is focused on developing your skills as a researcher, the instruments of your profession. What research skills do you need to master? What approaches are best suited for different problems? A DBA degree is about developing your capacity to act in the world. The tools you bring to your work are as important as your motivation and vision. The third phase is focused on integration. Are you able to join your vision and motivation with your knowledge and intellectual capacities to address and resolve specific organisational problems? Problems of organisational design and action are, at heart, problems of knowledge. Faced with an intractable business problem, can you generate the knowledge needed to resolve the problem by formulating a researchable question and doing

6 focused on implementing solutions to business and management problems. This DBA International Programme incorporates Action Learning methodology which is a new and interesting experience for me. This tool allows me to make a difference in my professional life and helps me to understand the importance of collective learning and development. The structure of this programme is very effective. It allows me to look at the theoretical frameworks and research methodology aspects in a broader spectrum. The applicability of the content related to the programmes is extremely valid and the staff of Business School Netherlands and Sheffield Business School have facilitated a very productive and interesting experience so far. Nauman Ali London School of Business & Finance, Lecturer, United Kingdom. Student International DBA the research? Can the answers you come up with be implemented? Can you put it all together? In this third phase you develop your professional identity and capacities into an integrated whole, The final phase is the thesis research and writing. The focus in this phase is consolidation and elaboration. Through your research, you will apply and internalize the learning of the first three phases. You will also contextualize your research, placing it in a larger body of theoretical work and practical, strategic, organisational problems. This phase is aimed not only at ensuring that you are capable of conducting world class research into business and management problems. It is also aimed at elaborating the connections between the various problems which have intrigued you during your studies and which are likely to be of enduring concern in your professional career. Benefits On completion of the programme you will: have made a contribution to theory and the practice of management; be capable of undertaking rigorous research in the field of business and management; have developed a broad understanding from multiple perspectives of business and management issues; be able to critically assess your own thinking and impact as a manager and become more effective in your work interactions; have developed an acute understanding of your speciality within the broader context of organisational and managerial action; have become a reflective practitioner with a scientific approach to management and organisational problems; recognise the strengths of group effort and have developed strong cooperative work habits. Double Degree This programme offers a double degree. This means that you will receive a degree from Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University and a degree from Business School Netherlands. The DBA is a relatively new degree in Europe, but long recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the UK. The DBA International Programme adheres to the QAA standards.

7 Structure and content Learning settings Learning takes place in three phases: three sets of modules delivered at week-long workshops; your participation in your Action Learning Set; the advice, support and guidance of your thesis supervisors. Module Delivery You will be making three trips to participate in the delivery of the core modules. Each time you will be attending a set of workshops associated with one of the first three phases of the programme. The first set of workshops, held in Buren in The Netherlands, will introduce you to the programme. It will involve five intensive days of work and discussions as the foundations for Action Learning are laid and current theories and practices of business and management are presented and discussed. This set of modules focuses on putting your concerns, your motivations, and your reasons for wanting to become a practical researcher, into the broad context of organisational and management research. Relating your interests to this ongoing stream of research, enables you to define your passion and understand how the problems which fascinate are related to other management and business issues. These workshops will lay the foundations for your future learning and research. The output from this first set of modules will be an X-Ray report on your work organisation. You will be asked to apply the theories you learn, both in the module workshops and in your independent study, to an organisation. This exercise is aimed at broadening your view of organised action and its organisational context, and gaining a better understanding of your own perspective and biases. This exercise will develop your identity as a researcher by clarifying your motives and interests. It will stretch your theoretical understanding, point you to the gaps in your knowledge, allow us to assess your needs, and provide a foundation for your thesis proposal. In the second set of workshops, which take place in Sheffield in the United Kingdom, you will develop your skills and knowledge as a

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9 Phase Module/Activity Major Assignment/ Location Duration of Assessment teaching block I Introduction to Action Learning Organisational x-ray Buren, 5 days Advanced Practice in Business Draft Netherlands in month 1 and Management - 1 of study II Foundations and Design of Methodological Position Sheffield, UK 5 days Management Research paper in month 4 First draft of thesis proposal of study III Advanced Practice in Business Thesis research proposal Prague, 6 days and Management - 2 Czech Republic in month 12 of study IV Thesis Research and Thesis Writing and Oral Buren or between Presentation Viva defence Sheffield months of study researcher. It will focus on the philosophical issues related to knowledge generation and use, and on the design of research in business and management. Here you will be forced to think about what knowledge is, how it is generated, and how it is used. The development of a scientific attitude requires not just that we view common understandings with scepticism and base our arguments on theory and evidence; it also demands that we make conscious decisions about how we understand our world and what constitutes evidence for action in it. At the conclusion of these modules, you will be asked to write a paper expounding your methodological preferences. This exercise is a vehicle for thinking through your research preferences and consolidating your methodological position. It provides a means for us to assess your development as a thinker and points to where difficulties may lie ahead in your thesis research. At this point you will also be asked to write a first draft for your research proposal. This will be presented during the third set of workshops at the beginning of the second year. The third set of modules, lasting six days, will be held in Prague in the Czech Republic. As part of phase three of the programme, it is designed to do two things. Firstly, to provide an advanced forum for the exposition and discussion of current thinking in organisations and management, and secondly, to provide a means for you to develop your theoretical positions and solidify your thinking about your thesis research. You will be presenting your research proposal to the faculty and your peers for discussion and assessment. There will be plenty of opportunities to discuss your ideas and progress with faculty. The focus of these workshops depends very much on you and your development as a well-rounded researcher. Action Learning Sets The second setting for learning is your Action Learning Set (ALS). An ALS is liberating. By this we mean that it provides a structure where individuals can develop their ideas in a flexible and supportive environment. The constant interaction with peers and advisors results in an interplay between theory, experience and practical problems that facilitates rigorous and creative inquiry. Self-study, the workshop modules, and your thesis work are all supported by your ALS. An ALS ties your theoretical learning to practical issues relevant to you and your peers, management experiences. Through the ALS you are put into an environment which is motivating, has a practical focus, where you can benefit from other perspectives and experiences, where feedback is timely and direct, and where you can develop your skills in analysis and presentation, as well as leadership and persuasion. An ALS promotes team thinking and mutual success. An ALS honours diversity by encouraging and validating multiple perspectives. By contributing your perspective to your colleagues problems, and vice-versa, your ALS contributes to a broadening and deepening of your learning. The ALS is facilitated and coached by the Action Learning

10 Coach, while substantive issues can be referred to advisors, methodologists, and your thesis supervisors for guidance. Your ALS is your core reference group. It is the thread which runs through the entire programme. And, together with the faculty and others in the programme, the members of your ALS will provide professional support throughout your ongoing career. Thesis Supervision The final setting for your learning is your relationship with your thesis supervisor. From your first year in the DBA International Programme, you should be thinking about who you would like to invite to be your thesis supervisor. The person you choose will have a major influence on the direction of your studies. Your thesis supervisor is teaching and conducting research in your area of interest. He or she is the one who will recommend new directions in reading and theory development, critique your work, and support you in your thinking and efforts. He or she will advise you concerning standards as well as your readiness to stand for final, oral examination. Your thesis supervisor can give you opportunities to assist you in your own research, adding to your experience and possibly resulting in co-authorship of scholarly articles. Your choice and management of a thesis supervisor will make your academic career in the DBA International more productive, satisfying and rewarding. Pedagogical Approach You are the centre of attention during the DBA International Programme. What you bring is your personality, your experience and perspective, the practical challenges and opportunities you face in your work, and your knowledge, creativity and energy. What we provide is our expertise and knowledge, our extensive experience in creating a supportive learning environment in which you can develop your own ideas and interests. We back you, challenge you, guide you and provide the environment where you can stretch your mind and develop. A large part of this is done through Action Learning. From the beginning, in the first set of modules, you will be immersed in an Action Learning environment. This means that following a brief introduction to its principles and methods, subsequent learning activity will take place using Action Learning methods. The goal is fourfold. Firstly, to ensure that discussions of theory and methods are grounded in the practical and intellectual problems which you bring with you. Secondly, to bring you and your classmates diverse perspectives and personalities to bear on these issues. Thirdly, to put you in a position whereby your ability to communicate and persuade is tested and improved. And finally, to lay the social foundations for the internet-based Action Learning which will support your individual study on your return home. As part of your application, you will have prepared two questions. The first is motivational. Why are you interested in pursuing a DBA? The second is substantive. What research questions interest you and what might your thesis topic be? Discussions of theory will originate from these questions. It is the role of the first module faculty to guide you from your practical and intellectual concerns to the streams of research literature which inform and contextualize them. It is the role of the Action Learning Coach to facilitate a critical but supportive discussion. It is the role of the Action Learning Set to bring their varied reading and experience to their discussions of your work, and to critique your thinking. Together, the faculty, the coach, and the ALS, work to move you from a topic that fascinates and motivates you to a research question, framed by a body of theoretical literature, rigorously thought through and ready for investigation. Action Learning is emotional and behavioural as well as intellectual. It aims to develop your personal capacities and professional effectiveness as well as intellectual capabilities. The DBA International will, at each workshop series, engage you in what we call Intervision. The objective of Intervision is to develop your personal capacities and effectiveness by examining your habits of character. Focusing on specific work situations, Intervision is invaluable for improving performance and outcomes. The emphasis is on reflection, helping you think through how you can become more effective and professional in your work interactions.

11 The DBA International Programme, jointly organised by Business School Netherlands and Sheffield Business School provides a unique learning experience; the candidates are drawn from a diversity of countries and professional disciplines. The quality of the learning is also of a high standard, providing a stimulating and satisfying experience. The programme is sufficiently flexible in structure to accommodate the more senior and mature professional who is seeking to add depth to his or her professional standing with the opportunity to become a subject matter authority in the chosen thesis subject and direction. Faculty and Online Resources As a DBA International student, the resources of both Sheffield Business School and Business School Netherlands are at your disposal. Diverse faculties with international reputations are there to advise and assist you. For a blended programme of distance learning combined with onsite workshops, online resources are of critical importance. Both the institutes have substantial facilities and make them available to their students online. The online learning facilities are also first rate. Sheffield Business School s BlackBoard system will be deployed in support of both the Action Learning Sets and the modules delivered at the onsite workshops. Each module has a site containing background material, core and supplementary readings, a discussion board and other resources. Members of each Action Learning Set communicate and interact through their own customizable site. Danny Zamdamela First National Bank, CEO FNB Africa, South Africa Student International DBA

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13 Information and enrolment Admission requirements For admission to this programme, applicants will be required to: hold an MBA, or a Masters qualification in a relevant area, and have at least five years experience be in a professional capacity with significant responsibility or be in a senior management role or be the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of a Small to Medium Size Enterprise or be in an equivalent position; be pursuing, or have pursued, a significant career in professional or business areas that fall within the research interests of Sheffield Business School or the faculty of Business School Netherlands, and display evidence of the potential to do doctoral level work, and have written and verbal fluency in English. For non-native English speakers, a minimum TOEFL mark of 580 on the paper based test or 237 on the computerized test, or 91 on the internet based test, or a 6.5 on the IELTS standard is required. In exceptional circumstances, consideration may be given to applicants without a Master s degree who: hold a good first degree in a relevant discipline; have exceptional work experience demonstrated by professional advancement; can demonstrate continued education and professional development since graduation. Application and Selection Procedures To discuss enrolment procedures for this programme, please contact international@bsn.eu The Admissions Committee will process the application within one month of its receipt and you will be informed by mail of your acceptance to the programme. Information For more information about the DBA International Programme, please contact the Programme Manager at either Sheffield Business School or Business School Netherlands. While specific questions need to be addressed to the Programme Managers at the offices of the two institutions, you are invited to visit our locations to get a feel for what we do and who we are. Sheffield Business School Business School Netherlands City Campus De Raadskamer Howard Street Herenstraat 25 Sheffield Buren T. +44 (0) T. +31 (0) sbs@shu.ac.uk international@bsn.eu

14 The partners Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Hallam University is renowned for its modern facilities, dynamic approach to teaching and learning, and high levels of student support. With 28,000 students and 3000 staff it is one of the UK s largest and most progressive universities. Over the last 10 years we have invested over 115 million in our teaching and learning facilities and we have excellent libraries and computing facilities. Our e-learning system is one of the most extensive and advanced in the country, providing access to resources and support when and where you need them. Sheffield Business School has a national and international reputation for delivering postgraduate and professional management development programmes. With over thirty years experience in research and teaching in business and management, our vision is to be a creative and enterprising community for learning and practice; to develop and share knowledge and skills that make a positive difference to organisations and their management. Our purpose-built multimillion pound building has the latest in information technology and learning facilities. We work in close partnership with professional bodies and both public and private organisations. These relationships ensure that our academic activities are tightly tied to practical management, organisational and business problems. The Business School is involved in a diverse range of pure and applied research, covering most areas of business and management. For more information about our research centres please visit course/1018/. Business School Netherlands Business School Netherlands was established in 1988 based on our belief that traditional executive education programmes failed to meet the training and development needs of business managers. We are the first European institution to become affiliated with the World Institute for Action Learning. In 1991 we began to offer our Dutch language MBA using the Action Learning methodology. Business School Netherlands is the market leader in MBA training in the Netherlands. With an annual MBA student intake of over 350 students, this leadership position was recognised by Intermediar, the independent Dutch ranking body and publication. This body has ranked our MBA curriculum 1st in the Netherlands in the last three of their biannual rankings and readers of Management Team in 2012 ranked BSN as the best MBA provider 2012/2013. The quality of our programmes and our Action Learning approach to executive education, has been the foundation for our development and expansion. We currently offer executive education programmes in several languages in other European countries, as well as in Africa and Asia. Our English language International Action Learning MBA is our flagship programme, as we continue to develop an international community of Action Learners. Besides its degree programmes, Business School Netherlands also offers special skills and management development courses, and short courses customized to meet the requirements of specific clients. These programmes are closely integrated with our clients needs and goals and place heavy demands on faculty capabilities. To ensure that we are always abreast of the latest developments in management theory and practice, and that we are able to meet the demands of our clients, we maintain relationships with a broad array of academic and professional faculty. Drawing on expertise as it is needed, rather than tailoring programmes to a fixed set of resources means that we are always ready to effectively and efficiently meet the next challenge. For more information about our programmes please visit

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16 Executive MBA Information Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University and Business School Netherlands are combining their strengths to offer the DBA International Programme. The DBA is aimed at the practicing manager or consultant. We believe that a scientific approach and attitude are fundamental to solving business problems. Through this joint programme, we offer the international student a unique combination of resources and experience dedicated to developing their capabilities. Sheffield Business School City Campus Howard Street Sheffield t. +44 (0) e. sbs@shu.ac.uk Business School Netherlands De Raadskamer Herenstraat 25 Buren t. +31 (0) e. international@bsn.eu